Bale sealed the points from long range with his eighth goal in six games.

It was another show-stopping performance from Tottenham's man of the moment after a string of superb saves from West Ham keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen looked certain to frustrate Spurs.

Brilliant Bale

Gareth Bale scored his 14th and 15th Premier League goals of the season, drawing level with Michu in the scoring charts. Only Robin van Persie (19) and Luis Suarez (18) have more.

Bale scored his 10th and 11th PL away goals of the season - the outright most away goals of any player in the division.

Bale has scored nine goals in eight PL matches since Christmas Day - more than any other PL player.

Picking up the ball in a central area some distance from goal, he worked it on to his favoured left foot and arrowed a drive, which dipped over Jaaskelainen's outstretched right hand and into the top corner.

The Welshman has now scored eight of his team's last 10 goals in all competitions and 19 in total this season.

Almost single-handedly he has lifted Spurs two points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea going into Sunday's crucial north London derby against Arsenal, who are a further two points back in fifth.

For the Hammers, Bale's strike was a devastating blow after a whole-hearted performance which did justice to the memory of England's World Cup-winning captain Moore.

Cole's goal gave them a 2-1 lead and had substitute Matt Taylor not been thwarted by Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris when through on goal it could have been a different story.

Before kick-off, the Upton Park crowd joined both sets of players in a minute's applause to pay tribute to Moore, who played more than 500 games for West Ham.

Bobby Moore's grandchildren Poppy, Freddie & Ava lead out the teams

Hammers players warmed up in Moore number six shirts, a giant poster of the former defender was unfurled in the corner of the stadium before his three grandchildren placed the match ball on the spot.

Roared on by their impassioned fans, West Ham made the brighter start and Lloris had to make a sharp low save to keep out a shot from Matt Jarvis after neat interplay between Carroll and Cole.

But where there is Bale there is danger and the winger picked up the ball in a central position 25 yards from goal, pushed it past James Collins and lashed a left-footed shot past Jaaskelainen to give Spurs the lead.

West Ham drew level in the 25th minute after Scott Parker's lunging challenge took out Carroll's standing leg and referee Howard Webb pointed to the spot. The England striker rose to his feet and blasted the penalty into the roof of the net.

Spurs looked more likely to take the lead and West Ham were indebted to Jaaskelainen, who pulled off sharp saves either side of half-time to keep out goalbound headers from centre-back Steven Caulker.

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas introduced Sigurdsson and it almost paid instant dividends as the Icelander curled a shot on to the post from outside the area.

The rebound presented Emmanuel Adebayor with a golden chance, but his tame header gave Jaaskelainen a relatively straightforward save.

West Ham responded to the scare in devastating fashion by scoring from their next attack. Joey O'Brien's lofted pass from the left wing picked out Cole's run and the former England midfielder swivelled before firing off a left-footed effort which bobbled past Lloris and into the far corner.

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'Tremendous' Bale 'inspires' Spurs

Tottenham's quest for an equaliser was once again thwarted by the inspired form of Jaaskelainen, who palmed away yet another Caulker header from a corner before deploying all his athleticism to tip a fine curling effort from Bale over the bar.

Lloris pulled off a brilliant stop of his own as he raced off his line to deny Taylor and the miss proved costly to the Hammers as Spurs equalised.

West Ham's defence failed to clear a Bale free-kick from the right and the ball dribbled through to Sigurdsson who poked home at the far post.

A rampant Spurs continued to bombard the home side's goal only to be denied by a goalkeeper at the top of his game as Jaaskelainen tipped Sigurdsson's effort around the post and pushed aside a close-range header from Adebayor.

But just when both sides appeared to have settled for a draw, up stepped Bale to steal the stage.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce:

"We made a terrific go of it. It was at a crucial stage when Matt Taylor got through one on one and their keeper made good save, we want to be scoring that.

Substitution Emanuel Pogatetz is brought on as a substitute for Guy Demel.

70:26

Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Gareth Bale.

70:26 Booking

Booking Gary O'Neil receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

70:07

Free kick awarded for a foul by Gary O'Neil on Gareth Bale.

69:06

Shot by Scott Parker from outside the box goes high over the target.

68:52

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Gareth Bale.

68:29

Gareth Bale takes a shot from 18 yards. Save by Jussi Jaaskelainen.

66:41

Gylfi Sigurdsson takes a shot. Blocked by Mohamed Diame. Corner from the right by-line taken by Gareth Bale, Steven Caulker takes a shot. Save by Jussi Jaaskelainen. Inswinging corner taken by Gareth Bale, save made by Jussi Jaaskelainen.

63:08

Andy Carroll concedes a free kick for a foul on Michael Dawson. Free kick taken by Michael Dawson.

61:42

Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Gareth Bale.

61:42 Booking

Booking Mohamed Diame booked.

61:37

Unfair challenge on Gareth Bale by Mohamed Diame results in a free kick.

60:55

Corner from the right by-line taken by Gareth Bale, Matthew Taylor makes a clearance.

60:27

Corner taken by Gareth Bale from the right by-line, clearance by Guy Demel.

59:25 Booking

Booking Joe Cole goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

57:48

Assist by Joey O'Brien.

57:48 Goal scored

Goal! - Joe Cole - West Ham 2 - 1 Tottenham Joe Cole scores a goal from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. West Ham 2-1 Tottenham.

Comments

I like to have the last word. Gawd don't AFC whingers drip on? Go and vist your own blogs and join in with dreary argument about wether AW should be sacked or not. James; and if you knew youre history you would note that Spurs are the older Norf Landan club. I hope Bale smashes you on Sunday, and in Arsene you rust....

#558 james .......1, Liverpool (beat 2;1 last meeting) 2,Fulham (scraped a 3;0 win last meeting) 3, Swansea beat 1;0 last meeting) 4,Everton last meeting, lost to two late goals) 5, Chelsea ( last meeting,lost we didn't have Bale) 6, Man City( last meeting lost to a late goal) then it's Wigan Stoke Sunderland and Southampton....By that time we will be too far in front to catch...cya

556 - Easier than what you have! Last season we we 10 point behind at this point, we beat you and went on a run while you kept losing. Wenger knows how to finish a season - AVB could not believe his luck that you won but the run in will be too much.

Like many others I could not understand Sam's substitutions. Demel and Diame were two of his better players. He had a 2-1 lead, a tiring Carroll Cole, Chamach and Vaz Te on the bench and not one used. Best way to defend a lead is to extend it. VDV's substitutions all worked. Siggurdson, Carroll and Livermore all did well. Carroll will be a top player, good passer of the ball.

#554 james............... your games after the derby are testing....1, Everton (drew 3;3 last meeting) 2, Swansea ( lost at home last meeting) 3,Reading ( went 4 goals down last meeting) 4, West Brom ( saved by dodgy goalie last game of las season) 5,Norwich (lost last meeting) 6, Fulham (drew 2;2 last meeting) & 7,Man Utd say no more, not as rosey as you thought .......eh

551I think quite a lot of teams have said that over the last month, don't fall for that trap again! And, considering we have 6 defensive minded players in the starting 11 then I don't think we'll be having issues! And Chamberlain? Giroud? Dont make me laugh! I'd rather West Ham than Aston Villa anyway!

I'm sure we can look after Bale. I hope you have a plan to contain Cazorla, Podolski, Walcot, Giroud, Wilshere, chamberlain... judging by last night I'd be worried your defence looks awful and it was a good job you played WHFC.

549I haven't looked at their defence, but he started last time I remember? Although I would have though Koscielny and Vermalaen were first choice? Either way, the only thing stopping Bale and goal is Vermalaen..!

A bit of trouble? Not sure how much trouble we're going to have shifting the highest goal scoring midfielder in the BPL James! And we'll see on Sunday huh? Mertesaker might have to be riding a bit of this horse meat to even feel the breeze of Bale..

545 - Yes, I was talking about your development. I hear Levy's got his fingers in a few pies - apple, cherry and mince beef. Seen as he's had trouble selling the one-trick pony, he might have a bit more luck shifting horse meat. And if you can't keep your league position, at least you'll be able to collect club card points.

#542 James ...oh yeah a rich 4 year history of doom gloom and depression, no joy at the hemorrhoids my friend, the other London clubs refer to your patch as Wallford, with Arsene playing the Nasty Nick Cotton role, as for horse meat we only have to look across North London to view donkey meat on sale

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